BETWEEN 2015 and this present time, more than 1000 buildings have been razed by fire; and Guyana Fire Service Divisional Commander Compton Sparman has called for enforcement of the requisite fire laws, mainly the building code.

Speaking at the opening of a security forum organised by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Friday afternoon at the Duke Lodge in Kingston, Georgetown, Sparman noted that “we need to have a better focus on fire prevention”, and said that enforcement of the law is lacking.

Sparman said the Fire Prevention Act, Chapter 22:01, which was established many years ago, remains unchanged, except that fines have been revised. He noted that he and other senior fire officials have advocated for the Fire Safety Occupancy Code, known as the building code, to be enforced.

“I think it is time for the Fire Safety and Building Occupancy Code to be enforced to protect ourselves,” he told the gathering.

According to Sparman, there are systems, such as sprinkler systems and high-risers among others, which are seen as mandatory in other jurisdictions when engineering works are considered for the construction of a building.

“Engineering starts with safety,” he said, noting that if the structure is not sound, one cannot have a proper building. He said that dead load and superimposed load, among other issues, are considered in other jurisdictions.
However, in Guyana, when the building plans for businesses reach the Fire Service, construction of the building is almost complete.

NO CHECKS AND BALANCES
“As such, there are no checks and balances,” he said, noting that the Fire Service has to then give recommendations for the construction of something that is already completed. “Those things are lacking because the laws do not permit us,” he said.

Sparman noted that only the issuance of a safety certificate leads to some amount of enforcement, but this is usually done in the form of advice.

Regarding fire prevention moves in the City, he called for more cohesion between the relevant stakeholders.
“Firefighting is a skill that needs collaboration of agencies,” he said. To this end, he noted the role of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) as the agency responsible for the maintenance of fire hydrants.

“We are trying to work with GWI to ensure some of the hydrants have been repaired and working,” Sparman said.
He noted that the main problem lies with the water pressure being low. The senior fire officer explained that most of the fire hydrants were designed for domestic purposes, and it would take 10 to 15 minutes to divert the water before “jetting” of the fire hoses can take place. “So it’s a lot of things that face the Fire Service,” he said.

‘A THREAT’
Sparman identified Regent Street as a “threat” regarding areas which are susceptible to fire.

“Regent Street is a threat by itself,” he said, adding that the insurance premiums are high, and this is directly related to the proximity of the buildings, which has led to some insurance premiums being tripled.

Sparman pointed out that the closest canals to access water in the event of a fire are at North and South Roads.
He appealed to the business community to partner with the Fire Service on its cause. “We had over 1000 buildings which went up in flames between last year and now, mostly domestic (buildings),” he said, as he appealed to the business community for support in enforcing the laws, improving engineering measures and disseminating education on better fire prevention practices.

Over the years, a number of fires have reduced homes across the country to rubble. Many of those fires are said to be electrical in origin.

In the commercial sector, several fires have left businessmen counting heavy losses, the most recent being the October 10 Gafoors fire, which is being investigated as a suspected arson. This most recent fire has hit the Houston, East Bank Demerara business entity with millions in losses six months after a major conflagration ravaged 60 per cent of its structure, leaving billions in losses.